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West Port's Hudson commits to UAB

Published: Friday, July 19, 2013 at 8:46 p.m.

Last Modified: Friday, July 19, 2013 at 8:46 p.m.

Chris Hudson joined a rapidly growing list of West Port football players bound for Division I destinations last week when he committed to the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

Hudson, a 6-foot-5, 277-pound tackle, became the fifth Wolf Pack football player to commit to a Division I college, joining the history-making Class of 2013 trio of Markee Hayes (Akron), Jonnu Smith and Alfonso Randolph (both FIU), as well as fellow offensive lineman Delroy Baker, a rising senior who pledged to Indiana last month.

Hudson was offered by UAB, which competes in Conference USA, on the night of West Port's spring game in May and committed to play for the Blazers last Tuesday.

"They just kept on showing lots of love and wanting me to play for them," said Hudson, who is planning a visit to Birmingham this fall.

"They really like my footwork and how I'm able to do pass protection," he added.

According to Russell Holley, the Wolf Pack's recently hired head football coach, Hudson has responded well to his newfound status as a major college commit. Already blessed with considerable size, Hudson has also begun paying closer attention to other facets of his game.

"He's working on his strength and quickness," Holley said. "One of the things I've noticed in Chris since the spring is that he's becoming more of a leader and taking more initiative. I think this college recruiting process has caused him to step up and realize that maybe more eyes are on him."

Hudson and Baker, as bookend senior Division I-bound tackles, give Holley a strong foundation to build the Wolf Pack around as they navigate their first season as a Class 8A football program.

"We're going to be fast-paced, but we'll be able to slow the game down if we need do," Holley said. "Having two guys you know you can count on for every snap really helps us to establish that offensive persona."

Though the Wolf Pack are often overlooked in Marion County's football hierarchy, Hudson is hoping to prove the old adage that good football is born in the trenches, where he and Baker hope to be two of the top linemen around this fall.

The offensive line "wasn't really the strongest point of the team (in past years)," Hudson said, "but now I feel like it is the strongest point of the team and we also have some really good receivers."

Though Hudson pounced on the first Division I offer he received, he did say he would listen if he can improve his stock enough this fall for major-conference schools to come calling.

Holley, who has a long background working with offensive linemen, believes that could happen, especially if Hudson continues his recent trend of early morning work in the weight room and agility drills in the afternoons.

"The work he's putting in, I don't see any reason why he wouldn't be able to get some good film," Holley said, "and I would not be surprised if larger schools make a push and get offers out to him."

<p>Chris Hudson joined a rapidly growing list of West Port football players bound for Division I destinations last week when he committed to the University of Alabama at Birmingham.</p><p>Hudson, a 6-foot-5, 277-pound tackle, became the fifth Wolf Pack football player to commit to a Division I college, joining the history-making Class of 2013 trio of Markee Hayes (Akron), Jonnu Smith and Alfonso Randolph (both FIU), as well as fellow offensive lineman Delroy Baker, a rising senior who pledged to Indiana last month.</p><p>Hudson was offered by UAB, which competes in Conference USA, on the night of West Port's spring game in May and committed to play for the Blazers last Tuesday.</p><p>"They just kept on showing lots of love and wanting me to play for them," said Hudson, who is planning a visit to Birmingham this fall.</p><p>"They really like my footwork and how I'm able to do pass protection," he added.</p><p>According to Russell Holley, the Wolf Pack's recently hired head football coach, Hudson has responded well to his newfound status as a major college commit. Already blessed with considerable size, Hudson has also begun paying closer attention to other facets of his game.</p><p>"He's working on his strength and quickness," Holley said. "One of the things I've noticed in Chris since the spring is that he's becoming more of a leader and taking more initiative. I think this college recruiting process has caused him to step up and realize that maybe more eyes are on him."</p><p>Hudson and Baker, as bookend senior Division I-bound tackles, give Holley a strong foundation to build the Wolf Pack around as they navigate their first season as a Class 8A football program.</p><p>"We're going to be fast-paced, but we'll be able to slow the game down if we need do," Holley said. "Having two guys you know you can count on for every snap really helps us to establish that offensive persona."</p><p>Though the Wolf Pack are often overlooked in Marion County's football hierarchy, Hudson is hoping to prove the old adage that good football is born in the trenches, where he and Baker hope to be two of the top linemen around this fall.</p><p>The offensive line "wasn't really the strongest point of the team (in past years)," Hudson said, "but now I feel like it is the strongest point of the team and we also have some really good receivers."</p><p>Though Hudson pounced on the first Division I offer he received, he did say he would listen if he can improve his stock enough this fall for major-conference schools to come calling.</p><p>Holley, who has a long background working with offensive linemen, believes that could happen, especially if Hudson continues his recent trend of early morning work in the weight room and agility drills in the afternoons. </p><p>"The work he's putting in, I don't see any reason why he wouldn't be able to get some good film," Holley said, "and I would not be surprised if larger schools make a push and get offers out to him."</p><p><i>Contact Andy Marks at andy.marks@starbanner.com.</i></p>